Season 2, Episode 22: Devil's PlanetThis blog comes with the generalized warning that any post may contain spoilers. That is especially true of these Space: 1999 posts. So if you haven't seen this episode, intend to watch it, and therefore don't want spoilers, then don't read.
Plot Synopsis
After surveying a planet and realizing that everyone there is dead, Koenig finds himself on that planet's moon, where there's a penal colony. Prisoners are kept in line via the hope of returning to the planet -- not knowing that the return would be fatal.
My Thoughts
I remember when Star Trek: The Next Generation was first on TV, and they introduced the Ferengi. One of the stupid things about that new race was their weapons. They had these goofy energy whip things. Now I see that that was ripped off from S99. The guards keeping the prisoners in line with whips is just ridiculous looking. Maybe it was taken from Wonder Woman.
And that seems to be a good example of what's wrong with the episode. The idea behind it is interesting. And, done well, it could have been a compelling story. But it was put together so ham-handedly that I just had to laugh. Even the death scenes are comical. People step out of the transporter booth all smiles and happy. Then they get this melodramatic look on their faces, and keel over like high school actors. I really wanted to like this episode, but I just couldn't.
The thing that really puzzles me is the ending. It seems to me that once Koenig is rescued, the crew of Alpha should implement Operation Exodus and go to the planet of the dead people. Sure there's some kind of contagion that kills the natives of that planet, but we know that humans are immune. So why is there not even a mention of colonizing the world?
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